Last fall, we had a bumper crop of sugar maple (Acer saccharum) seeds, leading to a bumper crop of sugar maple seedlings.
I’ve never seen so many sugar maple seedlings in the garden.
Why Are there so many Maple Seedlings in My Yard?
Sugar maples have what are known as ‘Mast Years,’ when they produce a bumper crop of seeds that overwhelm animals that eat the seeds, such as mice and birds. Oak trees also have mast years.
The maple trees literally overwhelm the opposition’s defenses, much like when the troops landed in Normandy.
Here’s a close-up of sugar maple seedlings growing in my gravel drive. The photo covers less than one square foot.
Sugar maple trees flank my home, providing shade from morning and afternoon sun. During the summer, the house rarely sees direct sunlight.
The sugar maple trees are very tall, and there are plenty of them to set seed.
Sugar maple flowers in full bloom in mid-April.
If you’re looking for sugar maple (Acer saccharum) seedlings, I know a guy with a few to spare!
Comments
2 responses to “Sugar Maple Seedlings – Mast Year”
As much as I love trees in my yard I think there are too many problems getting the seedlings here and I am unsure about the suitability for my location.
1. I live in the tropic of Capricorn in Brasil. (too hot)
2. Our soil here is strong clay that sets like rock when it dries out. (likes sandy soil)
3. I think I would have trouble with plant quarantine regulations.
4. I think the trip is just a bit too far for transporting seedlings.
So with this in mind I will have to decline your generous offer.
I still find it amazing how people ignore soil and climatic conditions when choosing new plants for their yard.
Great reply Mark! I bet you could make the Sugar Maples work down there. 😉